Information processing apparatus and route controlling method

ABSTRACT

An information processing apparatus includes a memory and one processor configured to allocate a virtual Internet Protocol address to an application, transmit information including a first metric value and the virtual Internet Protocol address to a network apparatus on a first route through which a first packet destined for the virtual Internet Protocol address is transferred; and transmit information including a second metric value and the virtual Internet Protocol address to another network apparatus on a second route through which a second packet destined for the virtual Internet Protocol address is transferred wherein a certain value is to be added to the first metric value in the network apparatus and another certain value is to be added to the second metric value in the other network apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of theprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-96243, filed on May 15, 2017,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present technology relates to a controlling technology of acommunication route.

BACKGROUND

There is an information processing apparatus having a plurality ofvirtual Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. Each of the virtual IPaddresses is allocated, for example, to an application to be executed bythe information processing apparatus, and a different informationprocessing apparatus, a terminal or the like may communicate with theapplication by transmitting a packet destined for the virtual IPaddress.

A certain document discloses a technology for transferring a packetusing a routing table generated in compliance with a routing informationprotocol (RIP) that is a protocol for routing control. For example, arelated technology is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent PublicationNo. 8-251227.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the embodiments, an information processingapparatus includes a memory and one processor configured to allocate avirtual Internet Protocol address to an application, transmitinformation including a first metric value and the virtual InternetProtocol address to a network apparatus on a first route through which afirst packet destined for the virtual Internet Protocol address istransferred; and transmit information including a second metric valueand the virtual Internet Protocol address to another network apparatuson a second route through which a second packet destined for the virtualInternet Protocol address is transferred wherein a certain value is tobe added to the first metric value in the network apparatus and anothercertain value is to be added to the second metric value in the othernetwork apparatus.

The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attainedby means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out inthe claims.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and arenot restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view depicting a network configuration of a network in whicha route is controlled utilizing a RIP;

FIG. 2 is a view depicting an example of a routing table;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views depicting examples of RIP data;

FIG. 4 is a view depicting an example of RIP data;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views depicting examples of routing tables;

FIG. 6 is a view depicting an example of a routing table;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are views depicting examples of RIP data;

FIG. 8 is a view depicting an example of RIP data;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views depicting examples of routing tables;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram depicting a network configuration accordingto a first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an information processingapparatus;

FIG. 13A is a view depicting an example of data stored in a RIPcontrolling data storage unit in the first embodiment;

FIG. 13B is a view depicting an example of a definition body;

FIG. 14 is a view depicting an example of data stored in a state datastorage unit;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart depicting a processing flow of a processexecuted by a RIP controlling unit;

FIG. 16 is a view depicting an example of RIP data;

FIGS. 17A to 17D are views depicting examples of RIP entries transmittedfrom an information processing apparatus to a router;

FIGS. 18A to 18D are views depicting examples of routing information arouter has;

FIGS. 19A to 19D are views depicting examples of RIP entries transmittedfrom a router to another router;

FIG. 20 is a view depicting an example of routing information a routerhas;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram depicting a network configuration of a secondembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a view depicting an example of data stored in a RIPcontrolling data storage unit in the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a view depicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from arouter to an information processing apparatus;

FIG. 24 is a view depicting an example of a routing table managed by aninformation processing apparatus;

FIGS. 25A and 25B are views depicting examples of RIP entriestransmitted from an information processing apparatus to a router; and

FIGS. 26A and 26B are views depicting routing tables routers have.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the case where a plurality of communication routes are availablebetween an information processing apparatus and a different informationprocessing apparatus, if communication may be performed such that aroute different for each virtual IP address is used, it may besuppressed that the network traffic is concentrated on a specific route.However, the related technology is not suitable for allocation of acommunication route to a plurality of virtual IP addresses.

First Embodiment

First, a technology for controlling a route utilizing a RIP isdescribed.

FIG. 1 is a view depicting a network configuration of a network in whicha route is controlled utilizing a RIP. For example, an informationprocessing apparatus 2 that is a mainframe or the like has a virtual IPaddress a and another virtual IP address b, and, in the informationprocessing apparatus 2, an application associated with each virtual IPaddress is being executed. An IP address of a local area network (LAN)adapter of the information processing apparatus 2 is a real IP addressm1. A packet received by the LAN adapter is transferred to anapplication in accordance with a virtual IP address included in thepacket.

The information processing apparatus 2 is coupled to a router 3 a andanother router 3 b through a network such as a LAN. An IP address of therouter 3 a on the internal network side is an IP address r11, and an IPaddress of the router 3 b on the internal network side is an IP addressr21. An IP address of the router 3 a on the external network side is anIP address r12, and an IP address of the router 3 b on the externalnetwork side is an IP address r22.

A router 5 is installed between an external network such as the Internetand a LAN or the like to which another information processing apparatus7 is coupled. The information processing apparatus 7 is a mainframe orthe like that performs communication with the information processingapparatus 2.

In this manner, the route between the information processing apparatus 2and the information processing apparatus 7 is multiplexed in preparationfor a fault or the like.

The information processing apparatus 2 transmits RIP data relating to aplurality of virtual IP addresses to the network to implementcommunication between applications to which the virtual IP addresses areallocated and the information processing apparatus 7.

Here, it is assumed that the router 3 a is set as a router of a primarysystem and the router 3 b is set as a router of a sub system. In thiscase, the router 5 has such a routing table as depicted in FIG. 2. Inthe example of FIG. 2, the metric value of a route that passes theprimary system router is 7 and the metric value of a route that passesthe sub system router is 8. Since 1 is added to the metric value of therouter 5, the metric value included in RIP data received by the router 5is 6 in regard to the router 3 a but is 7 in regard to the router 3 b.It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that arouter adds a value to the metric value when the router registers RIPdata into a routing table. Further, a route having the lowest metricvalue is selected in routing.

For example, the router 3 a transmits such RIP data as depicted in FIG.3A to the router 5 and the router 3 b transmits such RIP data asdepicted in FIG. 3B to the router 5. In the example in FIG. 3A, themetric value of the virtual IP address a is 6 and the metric value ofthe virtual IP address b is 6. In the example of FIG. 3B, the metricvalue of the virtual IP address a is 7 and the metric value of thevirtual IP address b is 7.

It is assumed that the information processing apparatus 2 transmits suchRIP data in which the metric value of the virtual IP address a is 5 andthe metric value of the virtual IP address b is 5 as depicted in FIG. 4to the routers 3 a and 3 b. In this case, if the router 3 a adds 1 tothe metric value and the router 3 b adds 2 to the metric value, such RIPdata as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be implemented. In this case,the routing table generated in the router 3 a is such a routing table asdepicted in FIG. 5A and the routing table generated in the router 3 b issuch a routing table as depicted in FIG. 5B.

By varying the value to be added to the metric value for each router inthis manner, a priority degree may be set for each router (for example,for each route) even if an existing router is utilized. However, aprimary system route relating to the virtual IP address a and a primarysystem route relating to the virtual IP address b are same as eachother, and the network traffic is concentrated on the routes that passthe router 3 a.

In the case where routing is performed such that a route of a mainsystem and a route of a sub system relating to each virtual IP addressare prepared and a route differs for each virtual IP address, the router5 has such a routing table as depicted in FIG. 6. In the example of FIG.6, in the case where the metric value associated with the virtual IPaddress a is 7, the router of a next hop is the router 3 a, and in thecase where the metric value associated with the virtual IP address a is8, the router of a next hop is the router 3 b. In the case where themetric value associated with the virtual IP address b is 7, the routerof a next hop is the router 3 b, and in the case where the metric valueassociated with the virtual IP address b is 8, the router of a next hopis the router 3 a. Since 1 is added to the metric value of the router 5,the router 5 receives RIP data in which the metric value of the virtualIP address a is 6 and the metric value of the virtual IP address b is 7from the router 3 a and receives RIP data in which the metric value ofthe virtual IP address b is 6 and the metric value of the virtual IPaddress a is 7 from the router 3 b.

For example, the router 3 a transmits such RIP data as depicted in FIG.7A to the router 5 and the router 3 b transmits such RIP data asdepicted in FIG. 7B to the router 5. In the example of FIG. 7A, themetric value of the virtual IP address a is 6 and the metric value ofthe virtual IP address b is 7. In the example of FIG. 7B, the metricvalue of the virtual IP address a is 7 and the metric value of thevirtual IP address b is 6.

It is assumed that the information processing apparatus 2 transmits suchRIP data in which the metric value of the virtual IP address a is 5 andthe metric value of the virtual IP address b is 5 as depicted in FIG. 8to the routers 3 a and 3 b. In this case, if the router 3 a adds 1 tothe metric value of the virtual IP address a and adds 2 to the metricvalue of the virtual IP address b and then the router 3 b adds 2 to themetric value of the virtual IP address a and adds 1 to the metric valueof the virtual IP address b, such RIP data as depicted in FIGS. 7A and7B may be implemented. In this case, the routing table generated in therouter 3 a is such a routing table as depicted in FIG. 9A and therouting table generated in the router 3 b is such a routing table asdepicted in FIG. 9B.

If a value that differs for each virtual IP address may be added in eachrouter, routing may be performed such that a primary system route and asub system route relating to each virtual IP address are prepared andbesides the route differs for each virtual IP address. However, since anexisting router does not have such a function as described above, it isdemanded to apply modification to each router.

Therefore, in the following, a method for allocating an appropriatecommunication route to each virtual IP address without performingsetting of an addition value to each router is described.

FIG. 10 is a view depicting a network configuration of a firstembodiment. An information processing apparatus 1 that executes mainprocesses of the present embodiment has a virtual IP address a, anothervirtual IP address b, and a further virtual IP address c, and, in theinformation processing apparatus 1, an application associated with oneof the virtual IP addresses is being executed. The informationprocessing apparatus 1 includes three LAN adapters, and IP addresses ofthe LAN adapters are a real IP address m1, another real IP address m2,and a further real IP address m3. A packet received by any LAN adapteris passed to an application in accordance with a virtual IP addressincluded in the received packet. It is to be noted that, while thenumber of virtual IP addresses in FIG. 10 is 3, the number of virtual IPaddresses is not limited especially.

The information processing apparatus 1 is coupled to routers 3 a to 3 dthrough a network such as a LAN. The IP address of the router 3 a on theinternal network side is an IP address r11 and the IP address of therouter 3 b on the internal network side is an IP address r21, and the IPaddress of the router 3 c on the internal network side is an IP addressr31 and the IP address of the router 3 d on the internal network side isan IP address r41. The IP address of the router 3 a on the externalnetwork side is an IP address r12 and the IP address of the router 3 bon the external network side is an IP address r22, and the IP address ofthe router 3 c on the external network side is an IP address r32 and theIP address of the router 3 d on the external network side is an IPaddress r42.

The router 5 is installed between an external network such as theInternet and a LAN or the like to which the information processingapparatus 7 is coupled. The information processing apparatus 7 is amainframe or the like that performs communication with the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

In this manner, the route between the information processing apparatus 1and the information processing apparatus 7 is multiplexed in preparationfor a fault or the like.

The information processing apparatus 1 implements communication betweenan application to which a virtual IP address is allocated and theinformation processing apparatus 7 by transmitting RIP data relating toa plurality of virtual IP addresses to the network.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting a hardware configuration of aninformation processing apparatus. The information processing apparatusillustrated in FIG. 11 may be the information processing apparatus 1illustrated in FIG. 10. The information processing apparatus 1 includesone or a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) 151, one or aplurality of memories 153, and one or a plurality of hard disk drives(HDDs) 155. The hardware components are coupled to each other through abus.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an information processingapparatus. The information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 12may be the information processing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 10.The information processing apparatus 1 executes a virtual machine (VM)10, and the VM 10 executes applications 120 a to 120 c. Each of theapplications 120 a to 120 c operates using a LAN adapter having a realIP address associated with a virtual IP address of the application as arouter. A communication controlling unit 100 manages a plurality ofvirtual IP addresses, and each virtual IP address is allocated to one ora plurality of applications. LAN adapters 11 a to 11 c are attached orcoupled to the information processing apparatus 1 through a cable or thelike.

The communication controlling unit 100 includes an input data storageunit 101, a RIP controlling data storage unit 102, a state data storageunit 103, a generation unit 104, and a RIP controlling unit 105. Theinput data storage unit 101, the RIP controlling data storage unit 102,and the state data storage unit 103 are provided in a memory 153 or theHDD 155. The generation unit 104 and the RIP controlling unit 105 areimplemented by the CPU 151 executing a program stored in the memory 153.

The generation unit 104 executes a process based on data stored in theinput data storage unit 101 and stores a result of the processes intothe RIP controlling data storage unit 102. The RIP controlling unit 105executes a process based on data stored in the RIP controlling datastorage unit 102 and data stored in the state data storage unit 103.

FIG. 13A is a view depicting an example of data stored in a RIPcontrolling data storage unit. The RIP controlling data storage unitillustrated in FIG. 13A may be the RIP controlling data storage unit 102illustrated in FIG. 12. In the example of FIG. 13A, an IP address, an IPaddress of a transmission source and an IP address of a transmissiondestination on a transmission route of RIP data and a metric value arestored. As a remark, distinction between a primary system and a subsystem is indicated.

It is to be noted that data to be stored into the RIP controlling datastorage unit 102 is generated by the generation unit 104 based on one ora plurality of definition bodies stored in the input data storage unit101. As depicted in FIG. 13B, each definition body includes an IPaddress (in the present embodiment, a virtual IP address), an IP addressof a transmission source of the RIP data (in the present embodiment, areal IP address of the information processing apparatus 1), an IPaddress of a transmission destination of the RIP data (in the presentembodiment, IP addresses r11 to r41 of the routers 3 a to 3 d), and ametric value. The definition bodies are inputted, for example, by amanager, and the metric values are set such that routes to be allocatedto a plurality of virtual IP addresses are dispersed.

FIG. 14 is a view depicting an example of data stored in a state datastorage unit. The state data storage unit illustrated by reference toFIG. 14 may be the state data storage unit 103 depicted in FIG. 12. Inthe example of FIG. 14, an IP address and information indicative ofwhether or not communication using the IP address may be performed arestored.

Now, a process executed by the RIP controlling unit 105 of theinformation processing apparatus 1 is described with reference to FIGS.15 to 20.

FIG. 15 is a view depicting a processing flow of a process executed by aRIP controlling unit. The RIP controlling unit illustrated by referenceto FIG. 15 may be the RIP controlling unit 105 depicted in FIG. 12. Forexample, in the case where a transmission instruction of RIP data isaccepted, the RIP controlling unit 105 of the information processingapparatus 1 searches for a transmission source real IP address that isnot processed as yet in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (FIG.15: step S1). At step S1, a search is performed in the field for atransmission source of a transmission route of RIP data in the RIPcontrolling data storage unit 102. The transmission instruction isissued, for example, periodically.

The RIP controlling unit 105 decides whether a transmission source realIP address that is not processed is detected (step S3).

In the case where an unprocessed transmission source real IP addressdoes not exist in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (step S3: Noroute), the process ends.

In the case where an unprocessed transmission source real IP addressexists in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (step S3: Yesroute), the RIP controlling unit 105 specifies one unprocessedtransmission source real IP address from within the RIP controlling datastorage unit 102 (step S4).

The RIP controlling unit 105 searches for an unprocessed transmissiondestination IP address associated with the transmission source real IPaddress specified at step S4 (step S5). At step S5, a search isperformed in the field for a transmission destination of a transmissionroute of RIP data in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102.

The RIP controlling unit 105 decides whether an unprocessed transmissiondestination IP address is detected (step S7).

In the case where an unprocessed transmission destination IP addressdoes not exist in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (step S7: Noroute), the process returns to step S1.

In the case where an unprocessed transmission destination IP addressexists in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (step S7: Yesroute), the RIP controlling unit 105 specifies one unprocessedtransmission destination IP address from within the RIP controlling datastorage unit 102 (step S8).

The RIP controlling unit 105 searches for an unprocessed virtual IPaddress associated with a combination of the transmission source real IPaddress specified at step S4 and the transmission destination IP addressspecified at step S8 in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (stepS9). At step S9, a search is performed in the field for a virtual IPaddress in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102. Further, at stepS9, it is confirmed that the state registered in the state data storageunit 103 is “communicatable,” and any virtual IP address that is not ina “communicatable” state is removed from a target of the search.

The RIP controlling unit 105 decides whether an unprocessed virtual IPaddress is detected (step S11).

In the case where an unprocessed virtual IP address does not exist inthe RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (Step S11: No route), the RIPcontrolling unit 105 transmits the RIP data generated by the processesdescribed above to the transmission destination IP address specified atstep S8 (step S15). Then, the process returns to step S5.

On the other hand, in the case where an unprocessed virtual IP addressexists in the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (step S11: Yesroute), the RIP controlling unit 105 specifies one unprocessed virtualIP address from within the RIP controlling data storage unit 102 (stepS12).

The RIP controlling unit 105 adds a RIP entry that includes the virtualIP address specified at step S12 and a metric value associated with thevirtual IP address to the RIP data (step S13). Then, the process returnsto step S9.

FIG. 16 is a view depicting an example of RIP data. In the example ofFIG. 16, the RIP data includes an IP header including a transmissionsource IP address and a transmission destination IP address, a userdatagram protocol (UDP) header, a RIP header, and one or a plurality ofRIP entries. Each RIP entry includes an IP address (in the presentembodiment, the virtual IP address specified at step S12) and a metricvalue. The transmission source IP address is the transmission sourcereal IP address specified at step S4. The transmission destination IPaddress is the transmission destination IP address specified at step S8.

With such a present embodiment as described above, since primary systemroutes having virtual IP addresses different from each other may beused, the network traffic may be dispersed. Further, a plurality ofroutes in which a priority degree is set to each virtual IP address maybe allocated.

In the following, a particular example of RIP entries transmitted fromthe information processing apparatus 1 to the routers 3 a to 3 d, arouting table the routers 3 a to 3 d have, RIP entries transmitted fromthe routers 3 a to 3 d to the router 5, and a routing table the router 5has is described.

FIGS. 17A to 17D are views depicting examples of RIP entries transmittedfrom the information processing apparatus 1 to the routers 3 a to 3 d.FIG. 17A is a view depicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted fromthe information processing apparatus 1 to the router 3 a; FIG. 17B is aview depicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from theinformation processing apparatus 1 to the router 3 b; FIG. 17C is a viewdepicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from the informationprocessing apparatus 1 to the router 3 c; and FIG. 17D is a viewdepicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from the informationprocessing apparatus 1 to the router 3 d.

As recognized from FIGS. 17A to 17D, different metric values are setindividually to a plurality of routes to a same virtual IP address.

FIGS. 18A to 18D are views depicting examples of the routing tables therouters 3 a to 3 d have. FIG. 18A is a view depicting an example of therouting table the router 3 a has; FIG. 18B is a view depicting anexample of the routing table the router 3 b has; FIG. 18C is a viewdepicting an example of the routing table the router 3 c has; and FIG.18D is a view depicting an example of the routing table the router 3 dhas.

FIGS. 19A to 19D are views depicting examples of RIP entries transmittedfrom the routers 3 a to 3 d to the router 5. For example, FIG. 19A is aview depicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from the router 3 ato the router 5; FIG. 19B is a view depicting an example of a RIP entrytransmitted from the router 3 b to the router 5; FIG. 19C is a viewdepicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted from the router 3 c tothe router 5; and FIG. 19D is a view depicting an example of a RIP entrytransmitted from the router 3 d to the router 5.

As may be recognized from FIGS. 19A to 19D, since a same value is addedto individual metric values in the routers, the difference betweenmetric values set in the information processing apparatus 1 ismaintained.

FIG. 20 is a view depicting an example of the routing table the router 5has. In the example of FIG. 20, in regard to the virtual IP address a,the metric value of the route that passes the router 3 a is set to 7,and the metric value of the route that passes the router 3 b is set to8. In regard to the virtual IP address b, the metric value of the routethat passes the router 3 b is set to 7, and the metric value of theroute that passes the router 3 a is set to 8. In regard to the virtualIP address c, the metric value of the route that passes the router 3 cis set to 7, and the metric value of the route that passes the router 3d is set to 8.

In this manner, the network traffic at the virtual IP address a and thevirtual IP address b is dispersed to the route that passes the router 3a and the route that passes the router 3 b, and the network traffic atthe virtual IP address c is dispersed to the route that passes therouter 3 c and the route that passes the router 3 d.

Embodiment 2

Although, in the first embodiment, a notification of a virtual IPaddress and a metric value the information processing apparatus 1 has isissued to a router using RIP data, the notification of an IP address anda metric value issued to the information processing apparatus 1 from arouter may be issued to a different router.

FIG. 21 is a view depicting a network configuration of a secondembodiment. An information processing apparatus 1 is coupled to a router6 and routers 8 a and 8 b through a network such as a LAN or the like.The IP address of the information processing apparatus 1 on the router 6side is a real IP address m5, and the IP address of the informationprocessing apparatus 1 on the routers 8 a and 8 b side is a real IPaddress m4. The IP address of the router 8 a on the informationprocessing apparatus 1 side is an IP address r61, and the IP address ofthe router 8 b on the information processing apparatus 1 side is an IPaddress r71. The IP address of the router 6 on the informationprocessing apparatus 1 side is an IP address r51. The router 6 mayreceive a packet from an apparatus of an IP address r81 and an apparatusof another IP address r91. In the second embodiment, routing control isperformed such that a route allocated to the IP address r81 and a routeallocated to the IP address r91 are different from each other.

FIG. 22 is a view depicting an example of data stored in a RIPcontrolling data storage unit in the second embodiment. In the exampleof FIG. 22, an IP address, an IP address of a transmission source and anIP address of a transmission destination on a transmission route of RIPdata, and a metric value are stored. As a remark, distinction between aprimary system and a sub system is indicated. In the field for an IPaddress, an IP address predicted to be notified of using RIP data is setin advance.

In the following, a particular example of a RIP entry transmitted fromthe router 6 to the information processing apparatus 1, a routing tablemanaged by the information processing apparatus 1, a RIP entrytransmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 to the router 8a and the router 8 b, and a routing table the router 8 a and the router8 b have are described.

FIG. 23 is a view depicting an example of a RIP entry transmitted fromthe router 6 to the information processing apparatus 1. In the examplein FIG. 23, both the metric value of the IP address r81 and the metricvalue of the IP address r91 are 1.

As may be recognized from FIG. 23, in RIP data received by theinformation processing apparatus 1, the metric values of a plurality ofIP addresses are same.

FIG. 24 is a view depicting an example of the routing table managed bythe information processing apparatus 1. In the example of FIG. 24, an IPaddress, an IP address of a next hop, and a metric value are stored. Inthe second embodiment, the routing table depicted in FIG. 24 correspondsto data in the state data storage unit 103 in the first embodiment. AnIP address whose metric value is one of integers from 1 to 15 indicatesa “communicatable” state, and an IP address whose metric value is 16indicates a “non-communicatable” state.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are views depicting examples of RIP entriestransmitted from the information processing apparatus 1 to the routers 8a and 8 b. FIG. 25A is a view depicting a RIP entry transmitted from theinformation processing apparatus 1 to the router 8 a, and FIG. 25B is aview depicting a RIP entry transmitted from the information processingapparatus 1 to the router 8 b.

As may be recognized from FIGS. 25A and 25B, the metric value of the IPaddress r81 and the metric value of the IP address r91 are setindependently of RIP data received by the information processingapparatus 1. Further, the metric value of the IP address r81 and themetric value of the IP address r91 are set so as to be different fromeach other. Since the information processing apparatus 1 re-sets themetric values in this manner, it is possible to make the route to the IPaddress r81 and the route to the IP address r91 different from eachother.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are views depicting routing tables the routers 8 a and8 b have. FIG. 26A is a view depicting the routing table the router 8 ahas, and FIG. 26B is a view depicting a routing table the router 8 bhas.

As may be recognized from FIGS. 26A and 26B, in both of the routers 8 aand 8 b, 1 is added to the metric values. Accordingly, the differencebetween metric values set in the information processing apparatus 1 ismaintained.

If such processes as described above are executed, an appropriate routemay be allocated to each of a plurality of IP addresses notified of froma router to the information processing apparatus 1. For example, thenetwork traffic between the router 6 and the apparatus of the IP addressr81 and between the router 6 and the apparatus of the IP address r91 maybe dispersed.

Although the embodiments of the present technology have been described,the present technology is not limited to the embodiments. For example,the functional block configuration of the information processingapparatus 1 described hereinabove may not coincide with an actualprogram module configuration.

Further, the configuration of each table described above is an example,and each table may have a different configuration from such aconfiguration as described above. Further, also in any of the processingflows, it is possible to change the order of processes if a sameprocessing result is obtained. Furthermore, the processes may beexecuted in parallel.

The embodiments of the present technology described above may besummarized in the following manner.

The information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of thepresent embodiment includes (A) a data storage unit (the RIP controllingdata storage unit 102 in the embodiments is an example of the datastorage unit) that stores, in an associated relationship with each of aplurality of virtual IP addresses used by the information processingapparatus, a first metric value regarding a first route along which apacket destined for the virtual IP address is transferred and a secondmetric value regarding a second route along which a packet destined forthe virtual IP address is transferred, and (B) a transmission unit (theRIP controlling unit 105 in the embodiments is an example of thetransmission unit) that transmit the data stored in the data storageunit to a network apparatus on a route along which a packet destined forthe plurality of virtual IP addresses is transferred.

It becomes possible to allocate an appropriate route to each virtual IPaddress without performing setting for weighting of a metric value tothe network apparatus. Further, by allocation of an appropriate route,it becomes possible to disperse the network traffic.

In addition, the data storage unit (a1) may further store, in anassociated relationship with each of the plurality of virtual IPaddresses, an IP address of a network apparatus on the route along whicha packet destined for the virtual IP address is transferred. Further,the transmission unit (b1) may generate, in regard to each of theplurality of virtual IP addresses, routing data including the virtual IPaddress, a first metric value, and a second metric value and transmitthe routing data so as to be destined for the IP address of the networkon the route along which a packet destined for the virtual IP address istransferred.

Since it becomes possible to send minimal data to each networkapparatus, increase of the network traffic may be suppressed.

Further, each of the plurality of virtual IP addresses may be allocatedto one or at least one of a plurality of applications to be executed bythe information processing apparatus.

It becomes possible for each application to use an appropriate route forcommunication.

Further, the first route may be a route of a primary system and thesecond route may be a route of a sub system.

The information processing method according to a second aspect of thepresent embodiment includes processes for (C) reading out data from adata storage unit that stores, in an associated relationship with eachof a plurality of virtual IP addresses used by a computer, a firstmetric value regarding a first route along which a packet destined forthe virtual IP address is transferred and a second metric valueregarding a second route along which a packet destined for the virtualIP address is transferred, and (D) transmitting the read out data to anetwork apparatus on a route along which a packet destined for theplurality of virtual IP addresses is transferred.

It is to be noted that a program for causing a computer to execute theprocesses according to the method described above, and the program isstored in a computer-readable storage medium or storage apparatus suchas a flexible disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), amagneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk or the like.It is to be noted that an intermediate processing result is temporarilystored into a storage apparatus such as a main memory or the like.

All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended forpedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the inventionand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, andare to be construed as being without limitation to such specificallyrecited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of suchexamples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority andinferiority of the invention. Although the embodiments of the presentinvention have been described in detail, it should be understood thatthe various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made heretowithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising: amemory; and circuitry coupled to the memory and configured to: transmitfirst information and second information via a first route, the firstinformation including a first metric value and a first address, thesecond information including a second metric value and a second address;and transmit third information and fourth information via a secondroute, the third information including a third metric value and thefirst address, the fourth information including a fourth metric valueand the second address; wherein a first value is to be added to thefirst metric value and the second metric value by a first router in thefirst route and a second value is to be added to the third metric valueand the fourth metric value by a second router in the second route,wherein the first metric value, the second metric value, the thirdmetric value, and the fourth metric value are used for determining eachprimary route of the first address and the second address, wherein eachvalue of the first metric value, the second metric value, the thirdmetric value, and the fourth metric value transmitted from theinformation processing apparatus is to be set so that a first primaryroute for the first address and a second primary route for the secondaddress are different routes, wherein the first primary route is asecond sub route which is used when a fault is occurred in the secondprimary route for the second address, and wherein the second primaryroute is a first sub route which is used when a fault is occurred in thefirst primary route for the second address.
 2. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 1, the circuitry furtherconfigured to: allocate the first address to a first application; andallocate the second address to a second application.
 3. The informationprocessing apparatus according to claim 2, circuitry further configuredto generate, for each of the first address and the second address,routing data that associates the first metric value, the second metricvalue, the third metric value, and the forth metric value, an InternetProtocol address of the first router on the first route, and an InternetProtocol address of the second router on the second route with eachother.
 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first address is a first virtual Internet Protocol address,and wherein the first virtual Internet Protocol address is allocated toone or more applications to be executed by the information processingapparatus.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the first route is a route of a primary system for the firstaddress and the second route is a route of a sub system for the firstaddress, wherein the second route is a route of a primary system for thesecond address and the first route is a route of a sub system for thesecond address, and wherein the first metric value is lower than thethird metric value and the fourth metric value is lower than the secondmetric value.
 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the added first metric value to which the first value wasadded is transmitted to a next network apparatus on the first route. 7.A computer-implemented route control method comprising: transmittingfirst information and second information via a first route, the firstinformation including a first metric value and a first address, thesecond information including a second metric value and a second address;and transmitting third information and fourth information via a secondroute, the third information including a third metric value and thefirst address, the fourth information including a fourth metric valueand the second address wherein a first value is to be added to the firstmetric value and the second metric value by a first router in the firstroute and a second value is to be added to the third metric value andthe fourth metric value by a second router in the second route, whereinthe first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value,and the fourth metric value are used for determining each primary routeof the first address and the second address, wherein each value of thefirst metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, andthe fourth metric value transmitted from the information processingapparatus is to be set so that a first primary route for the firstaddress and a second primary route for the second address are differentroutes, wherein the first primary route is a second sub route which isused when a fault is occurred in the second primary route for the secondaddress, and wherein the second primary route is a first sub route whichis used when a fault is occurred in the first primary route for thesecond address.
 8. The route control method according to claim 7,further comprising: allocating the first address to a first application;and allocating the second address to a second application.
 9. The routecontrol method according to claim 8, further comprising: generating, foreach of the first address and the second address, routing data thatassociates the first metric value, the second metric value, the thirdmetric value, and the fourth metric value, an Internet Protocol addressof the first router on the first route, and an Internet Protocol addressof the second router on the second route with each other.
 10. The routecontrol method according to claim 7, wherein the first address is afirst virtual Internet Protocol address, and wherein the first virtualInternet Protocol address is allocated to one or more applications to beexecuted by the information processing apparatus.
 11. The route controlmethod according to claim 7, wherein the first route is a route of aprimary system for the first address and the second route is a route ofa sub system for the first address, wherein the second route is a routeof a primary system for the second address and the first route is aroute of a sub system for the second address, and wherein the firstmetric value is lower than the third metric value.
 12. The route controlmethod according to claim 7, wherein the added first metric value towhich the first value was added is transmitted to a next networkapparatus on the first route.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing a route control program that causes an informationprocessing apparatus to execute a process comprising: transmitting firstinformation and second information via a first route, the firstinformation including a first metric value and a first address, thesecond information including a second metric value and a second address;and transmitting third information and fourth information via a secondroute, the third information including a third metric value and thefirst address, the fourth information including a fourth metric valueand the second address wherein a first value is to be added to the firstmetric value and the second metric value by a first router in the firstroute and a second value is to be added to the third metric value andthe fourth metric value by a second router in the second route, whereinthe first metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value,and the fourth metric value are used for determining each primary routeof the first address and the second address, wherein each value of thefirst metric value, the second metric value, the third metric value, andthe fourth metric value transmitted from the information processingapparatus is to be set so that a first primary route for the firstaddress and a second primary route for the second address are differentroutes, wherein the first primary route is a second sub route which isused when a fault is occurred in the second primary route for the secondaddress, and wherein the second primary route is a first sub route whichis used when a fault is occurred in the first primary route for thesecond address.
 14. A system comprising: a first communication apparatusconfigured to: transmit a first information and a second information viaa first route, the first information including a first metric value anda first address, the second information including a second metric valueand a second address, and transmit a third information and a fourthinformation via a second route, the third information including a thirdmetric value and the first address, the fourth information including afourth metric value and the second address, a first router in the firstroute configured to: receive the first information and the secondinformation, add a first value to the first metric value and the secondmetric value, and transmit the first information and the secondinformation, the first information including the first address and thefirst metric value to which the first value is added, the secondinformation including the second address and the second metric value towhich the first value is added, a second router in the second routeconfigured to: receive the third information and the fourth information,add a second value to the third metric value and the fourth metricvalue, and transmit the third information and the fourth information,the first information including the first address and the third metricvalue to which the second value is added, the third informationincluding the second address and the fourth metric value to which thesecond value is added, and a second communication apparatus configuredto: receive the first information and the second information via thefirst route, receive the third information and the fourth informationvia the second route, determine a first primary route for the firstaddress by comparing the first metric value and the third metric value,and determine a second primary route for the second address by comparingthe second metric value and the fourth metric value, wherein each valueof the first metric value, the second metric value, the third metricvalue, and the fourth metric value transmitted from the firstcommunication apparatus is to be set so that the first primary route andthe second primary route are different routes, wherein the first primaryroute is a second sub route which is used when a fault is occurred inthe second primary route for the second address, and wherein the secondprimary route is a first sub route which is used when a fault isoccurred in the first primary route for the second address.